AN ACT relating to classified employees' benefits.
Amend KRS 158.070 to permit public school employees other than teachers to participate in statewide professional meetings with substitutes when needed; amend KRS 161.011 to define "progressive discipline" as a process to deal with job-related behavior that does not meet expected and communicated performance standards; establish due process and hearing procedures for any classified employee notified that his or her contract will not be renewed; require the Office of the Attorney General to appoint a hearing office upon request of the commissioner of education; establish the right of appeal to the Circuit Court in the county where the school district is located; provide service credit for limited status employees on approved military leave; provide reemployment or reinstatement for employees inducted into the Armed Forces of the United States; permit local districts to provide the employer's contribution toward the purchase of the state's medical insurance program; permit a school district to pay the member contribution and accrued interest to the Kentucky Retirement System for members who return to the district after military service; and provide one year of service credit on the district's salary schedule for classified employees in military service.

HCS - Amend KRS 158.070 to permit public school employees other than teachers to participate in statewide professional meetings with substitutes when needed; amend KRS 161.011 to define "progressive discipline" as a process to deal with job-related behavior that does not meet expected and communicated performance standards; establish due process and hearing procedures for classified employees notified that his or her contract will not be renewed; require the board policy to provide a process that includes for verbal and written warnings, public and private reprimands, probation with a corrective action plan, and suspensions with pay or without pay of up to 7 days prior to termination; establish due process procedures for an employee who has completed 4 years of continuous active service; establish the right of appeal to the Circuit Court in the county where the school district is located; provide service credit for limited status employees on approved military leave; and provide reemployment or reinstatement for employees inducted into the Armed Forces of the United States.

HFA (1, F. Rasche) - Provide that nothing in the provisions shall reduce or eliminate a benefit provided by an employer-employee bargained contract, or limit the benefits of future contracts.